9 Totally Ordinary Things More Dangerous Than Weed

Is Cannabis Dangerous?

Just like any other substance, there are real risks and side effects of marijuana use. But the side effects of cannabis are less dangerous than many common things.

Consider caffeine.

Research shows that 85% of the population consumes caffeine every single day, even though, caffeine is deadly. There are actually many deadly substances laying around our homes and these substances are more dangerous than cannabis.

Cannabis is NOT deadly.

NO one has ever died from a cannabis overdose.

Compare that to the oodles of ordinary things that can kill humans. Here are five potentially deadly things you probably have in your house.

2. Caffeine

Not only is caffeine addictive, it’s also deadly. The devastating death of a 16-year-old was prevalent in the news.

The most tragic part of this story is the teenager’s caffeine intake on that fatal day was not outrageous. The 16 yo died after drinking only three caffeinated beverages.

The Mayo Clinic says a limited amount of caffeine is safe for adults, but we have no idea what’s ok for kids:

Up to 400 milligrams (mg) of caffeine a day appears to be safe for most healthy adults. That’s roughly the amount of caffeine in four cups of brewed coffee, 10 cans of cola or two “energy shot” drinks. Keep in mind that the actual caffeine content in beverages varies widely, especially among energy drinks.

Caffeine can be safe and even beneficial for some adults, but too much is deadly for everyone. Yet, we continue to dump this deadly drug down our kids’ throats daily in the forms of soda and energy drinks.

Marijuana is NOT deadly, plus it has health benefits, yet this plant is still outlawed.

4. Nutmeg

Eating too much of this common spice can actually kill you. Historically, people have died from consuming too much nutmeg.

Nutmeg also has a history of abuse.

5. Houseplants

Peace lilies are extremely common. I have two in my house. One in the kitchen, one by the front door. They’re excellent natural air filters and are recommended by NASA. They’re also great for low light areas.

BUT peace lilies are also poisonous. Sure they’re perfectly legal and easily obtained, but the leaves and sap are deadly for both for humans and pets. Chewing the leaves or ingesting sap can kill a child.

And peace lilies aren’t the only toxic houseplants – here are nine others. (Surprise! All nine of these deadly plants are perfectly legal.)

Many houseplants are deadly. Do you know what’s not deadly? Cannabis.

6. Water

Not only can you drown in water, but drinking too much water can kill you.

Drinking too much water dilutes your blood causing your sodium levels to drop – that can be deadly. Water intoxication has killed numerous people.

Think about this:

You can die from drinking too much water. But you CANNOT die from too much cannabis.

7. Cows (Yes, ordinary cows.)

She might look cuddly, but on average, cows kill 9 people each year in the US.

Here are some other surprising (but less common) things that are more deadly than marijuana: Cows, holes in the sand at the beach, and brain-eating amoebas.

Cows can be deadly. Death by cow is more common than death from cannabis.

8. Opiates

According to the CDC, sixty-four thousand people died from drug overdoses in 2016. Two-thirds of those deaths were caused by opiates. Additionally, more than 40% of those deaths involved PRESCRIBED opiates.

9. Benzodiazepines (Valium, Xanax, etc.)

I once heard a doctor refer to Xanax as, “Vitamin X,” as he noted all of his patients were on it. Benzodiazepines are disturbingly common.

The CDC says approximately 64000 Americans died from a drug overdose in 2016, they estimate that Benzos contribute to 30% of those deaths.

Benzodiazepines are deadly. Cannabis is not.

Conclusion

The next time you hear someone spreading propaganda about the dangers of cannabis, please let them know, that more deaths have been caused by coffee, nutmeg, and cows combined than marijuana. Cannabis, like all substances, has risks. It should be used responsibly by adults. But the illegal status of cannabis is ridiculous considering its less dangerous than caffeine or alcohol.

Jessie Gill, RN is a cannabis nurse with a background in holistic health and hospice. After suffering a spinal injury, she reluctantly became a medical marijuana patient then quickly transitioned into an advocate. Her site, MarijuanaMommy.com combines science with personal insight to educate about medical marijuana. She’s been featured on Viceland and bylines include GoodHousekeeping, Cosmopolitan, MSN, and more.

IMPORTANT

Medical marijuana should be used under the guidance of a licensed healthcare practitioner. This site is intended as an educational overview of cannabis and does not constitute medical or legal advice.

This website is informational and cannot diagnose or treat illness or disease. Medical marijuana is not FDA approved and should be used under the direction of a licensed healthcare provider. This site contains advertisements. If you click a link and make a purchase, MarijuanaMommy.com may receive a commission.